I Conquered Masada
Masada is 2 kilometers long and around 350 meters high. When the day came to finally hike up this mountain, you could say I was less enthused. I'm a big girl. I'm a big girl who's not in shape whatsoever. A girl whose only exercise is that of fitting as many potato chips in her mouth as possible. My expectation of what Masada would be like was an extremely underestimated perception. This was not going to be a "cute" hike, but instead a test of my emotional and physical strength. I was ready.
I started off strong. I - as with the group - walking with a spring in my step. Then the hills got higher, the steps steeper, and the paths longer. I slowed my pace dramatically. My position moved from the average middle to the very back. That's when I began to get a little emotional. Thoughts of self consciousness: "I bet the whole group is going to be coming down by the time I get up"...etc.
Taking the occasional (not so occasional) break, I was still able to see the beautiful sunrise peeking over the horizon.
You might be wondering how I made it up this mountain...
I didn't want to be known as the girl who complained her way to the top. I wanted to be known as the girl who fought and persevered up a mountain. Eventually, step by step, closer and closer, I had almost arrived at the top. But that's when my personal worst possible scenario happened: people came down to help me up the final leg. I HATE when that happens... I'm very comfortable with being on my own and dealing with me. However when a small group came down to help, I saw that as a negative and not a positive. I was so embarrassed. Here, a group is forced to come down to help me. I fought back tears as I fought back trying to quit.
As I reached the top, the group was so supportive in my accomplishment. They understood I was trying my hardest and said I should be so proud of myself. The most emotional part was when Jakob Cohen came over, squeezed my hand tight, and told me how proud he was of me, and that he was so proud of me for refusing to quit. Tears began to run down my cheeks. I tried so hard to fight back the tears but I broke down. Not only was my body shattered from the strenuous hike, but so was my mental state. I cannot fully explain how embarrassing it is to be the last one in the group (by 45 minutes) up the mountain.
Nevertheless, I did make it up that mountain. I conquered Masada. I had terrible fears coming into this trip about not being able to make any social connections to anyone, yet this experience showed me the true friends and family I made on this trip.
It's so easy to spread gossip and make fun of another person. I easily could have been shunned from the group for taking so long. But I received love and support instead.
I cannot thank my group enough for making me feel so comfortable and supported in such dire times. Hikes such as these are rough, but it's the end goal that makes it all worth it.
Peace and Love!
Photo Credits: Header Image-@ortalh10, Image 1-@scoleman2010, Image 2-@mjwallens
